2011 Reading List Update

Over the last month or so, I've read some great books. Top of the list, and now one of my favorite books of all time, is A Praying Life by Paul Miller. This not only is the best book on prayer that I've read but it's also possibly the best book on parenting that I've read. Again, I thank my wonderful husband for picking it out, reading it first and encouraging me to read it too. Zane read it over Christmas when we were in CO. He and Mom were actually reading it at the same time. When I saw how it immediately changed his prayer life, and when my Mom, a prayer warrior of a class that few ever achieve, said that it validated so much of what she had been doing for years, I knew I had to read it. 


A Praying Life does not read like a how to; it's anything but intimidating or guilt-inspiring. Instead, it's real and down to earth. Miller begins by addressing every question and doubt I've had about prayer, things I have rarely seen printed in a book: "Does prayer make a difference?" and when a prayer is answered, "Would it have happened anyway?" and the feeling that something must be wrong with me because other Christians don't seem to have this trouble praying. He calls out our culture of cynicism and desperate independence that permeates even the Christian heart.

As Miller teaches about prayer, he describes it as dinner with good friends, not a mystical or overly formal display. He reminds us that we have to come like little children - something having a toddler has shined a whole new light upon. And he welcomes us into his prayer life, showing us more than telling us how to pray.

Several times throughout the book, Miller mentions something to the effect of, "I do my best parenting by prayer." He writes about nagging less, even teaching less, and just asking God to work on his kids' hearts. I've never doubted the importance of praying for your kids but I think I still thought that I was the one who would teach Grace and cultivate her character and faith. I have been praying since before she was born for her salvation but just assumed a lot of the other stuff was in my hands. And that's the most intimidating part of parenting! What a weigh off my shoulders to pray rather than worry about her neediness or what we consider typical toddler selfishness! Zane and I have started praying daily for patience and obedience and contentment for her. The fact that she can now play by herself in her pack 'n play for 40 minutes is an answer to prayer. Even at such a young age, I delight to see the Lord's hand shaping her heart. It gives me hope. It's not all up to me!

Anyway, I could go on and on about this book. Instead, I will end by thanking my dear husband for his leadership and influence through recommending it and my parents for their example of living a praying life and praying for us daily, and finally recommend that anyone and everyone reads A Praying Life!

The other books that I've recently finished that I want to mention are: Taken at the Flood by Agatha Christie, a fun Hercule Poirot mystery Mom and I listened to on our drive to and from North Carolina, and My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult, a well-written and thought-provoking novel that I've been listening to around the house and running errands.

I also want to mention that I just finished Toddlerwise by Gary Ezzo. It's part of the Babywise series and had some helpful insights for raising our toddler. Ezzo is big on structuring a child's day and teaching children to play by themselves for set periods of time. We are working on that with Grace. I also like they the approach is not to let toddlers just do whatever they want because they don't understand much. Instead, there is an emphasis of training and disciplining in an age-appropriate manner. You probably can't imagine how Grace is anything but an angel but let's just say, we have a lot to work on!